Roses

New Beginning

   Flora quickly sat up from her nightmare. She looked around at the darkness surrounding her. She couldn't even see her hand in front of her face. She could feel the grass and fallen pine needles on the ground. She realized she was in a forest. Once her eyes adjusted to the dark she could see a dim light in the distance. She struggled to stand but eventually she made it on her feet. She desperately ran towards the light, tripping on sticks every now and then. The light began to grow brighter and bigger. She caught up to the light and smiled. She could see the soft glow of a woman. She had long ruby red hair and gentle moss green eyes with beautiful tan freckled skin. She wore a nun outfit with an upside down cross necklace with a circle through it.

   "Hello. Are you alright?" The woman spoke. Flora looked down to see she was standing on a dirt path. "Can you speak dear?" Flora looked back up. "Oh, sorry. I'm just a little lost." The woman nodded. "That's alright, would you like some help?" The woman tilted her head a little. "I don't know if you can help. I live nowhere near a forest." The woman looked confused. "How did you get here then?" She questioned. "I have no idea. I just woke up from a nightmare and ended up here." The woman nodded. "This happens to a lot of us. That means you were bound to be here. You were meant to find yourself here. Come along." Flora was confused. She slowly followed the woman up a hill. On the other side of the hill sat a big gothic church decorated with stained glass windows and upside down crosses. A satanic church?

   Flora admired the church. It seemed to have a positive aura. The woman put her hand on Flora's shoulder and smiled. "You're going to love it here, I promise." Flora began to walk down the hill, once again following the woman. "What's your name dear?" She asked. "Flora." The woman smiled. "That's a beautiful name! You can call me Aspen." They made it to the church and Aspen held the door open for Flora. Flora stepped inside of the church and looked around. "Welcome to the Church of Emeritus." The halls were empty. "Everyone's asleep right now." Aspen said. "What time is it?" Flora asked. "Around midnight. Would you like to head to my room? You can stay the night." Aspen replied and held Flora's hands. Flora nodded.

   Aspen handed Flora a couple blankets and a pillow and she got comfortable on the couch. "Goodnight dear." Aspen said. "Goodnight." Flora said in return before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.